It's a Slice Of Life Summer

Did you miss us? Because we missed you? We are back and here to stay! Enjoy our updated newsletter with brand new topics and recommendations! ❤️ And Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Treat yourself: See The Materialists in Theatres🍿

"Materialists," starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, is a romantic drama that explores the complexities of modern dating and relationships, with a focus on the financial aspects of love and social status.

It's a 10/10 movie with such a well-written and funny take on dating from the perspective of a matchmaker. And yes..Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal starring in it was definitely the cherry on top.

July brings forward typical fashion inspo of red-white-and-blues, the glint of fireworks, and the ever-present shine of SPF. But the highlights of summer? – The birth of judgment-free new trends. This issue, I’m taking you through the ins and outs of season: the buys and byes, the cops and drops. Here’s what’s worth your time and what’s a waste!

The in’s of the summer fall inhree categories: pages, projects, and purchases. 

A good book is all someone needs while sitting out by the pool, might I recommend Mansion Beach by Meg Mitchell Moore? T small-town charm, summer romance, and the perfect poolside plot.

As far as projects, I think the hottest in this summer is ate coffee. Grab yourself some espresso, cold foam, and syrups, and it’ll taste better than your $8 iced latte. Trust me. This goes multiple ways – a DIY Italian soda can be made with some sparkling water anrup. Lastlummer Fridays’ new Pink Guava Lip Butter Balm drop is all you need to keep your lips hydrated this season..

Every summer, we face the same challenge: digging through our closets for outfits light enough to survive New York’s degree heat—and bold enough to turn heads on our hot girl walks. It’s that long-awaited time of the year when we finally emerge from our winter hibernation, free from hiding our cute fits under those big bulky coats. It’s the time when fashion feels most free. 

Recently there’s been a rise in polka dots, though, a concerning recession indicator for our future economy, is great news for the city’s fashion girlies! One reason for loving polka dots is because of its versatility. Whether you wish to dress in a gorgeous black and white two piece like Sabrina Carpenter in Taste or channel your inner Julia Roberts in that iconic Pretty Woman brown dress, polka dots are always the right choice. 

To add the cherry on top, Reformation has launched an adorable polka dot collection—featuring knit tops, blouses, midi dresses, and cutesy skirts which is a must-check-out! This summer let's bring back playfulness in fashion and have some fun in style!

Forget lemonade - this summer, try hwachae. This traditional Korean fruit punch has been a favorite for generations, especially during the hot summer months. Originally, hwachae was made with seasonal fruits, honey, and floral infusions like magnolia berry, offering a naturally sweet and refreshing way to cool down.

Recently, hwachae exploded in popularity thanks to TikTok creator @amyflamy1, who gave it a fun, modern twist. Her version blends fresh watermelon, strawberries, jelly cubes, creamy strawberry milk, and fizzy Sprite – a combo that’s as colorful as it is tasty.

Hwachae’s appeal lies in its versatility: you can keep it traditional or go all out with your favorite fruits and drinks. It’s light, refreshing, and visually stunning - perfect for sharing on your feed and cooling off on a hot day. Whether homemade or from a Korean café, hwachae is a summer snack worth trying.

If you want to try making it yourself, here’s a simple recipe to get you started: Korean Watermelon Punch (Subak Hwachae).

Some dream of becoming world-renowned doctors or award-winning producers, but I dream of having a LinkedIn profile as dazzling as Clarke Peoples: the Ivy League graduate and travel extraordinaire with the motion to catch every fish in the ocean.

Clarke Peoples is the face of Black Woman Luxury TikTok, an amorphous digital space where Black women unapologetically embrace opulent self-care. This image of a young Black woman pursuing higher education, casually dating, and sipping limoncello in the South of France inspires me to be the heroine of my own story. Too often, cultural narratives confine Black womanhood to financial dependency, undesirability, and social immobility. So when a Black woman defies these stereotypes, of course, people love to run to the comment section—“Isn’t that performative? Capitalistic?” 

But let’s not forget: capitalism was built at the expense of Black life—on stolen land, stolen labor, and stolen futures. Therefore, our joy became our capital—funding lives decentered from struggle and radically reimagining futures we’ve never been shown.

Black Woman Luxury TikTok isn’t just about double-tapping aesthetic videos on your “For You” page — it gives space and grace for beauty, critique, and dreaming out loud to coexist.

Because luxury can be for you, with love.

Sleepless in Sicily😴

Last weekend, I almost canceled my departure flight – it was too soon to be leaving Sicily! This sunny Italian island is home to numerous gems, including Catania, Taormina, Syracuse, and Marsala– but Palermo stole my heart. Read below for some summer recs!

Antico Caffe Spinnato: A perfect day in Palermo starts with espresso and pastries here, best enjoyed on their generous patio on the pedestrian-only avenue. 

Seven Restaurant Palermo: Make reservations for an unparalleled rooftop view, especially around sunset! The food has mixed reviews, so go for their drinks and appetizers before heading downtown for some street food. 

MINIMARKET Store and Speakeasy: This innocuous grocery store has just a “special offer” tonic bottle on the shelf. Scan it, and you’ll step into a themed speakeasy serving amazing cocktails under a vinyl-spinning DJ.

Chiesa di Santa Catarina d’Alessandria: Palermo is full of otherworldly cathedrals and art, but after touring a few, this smaller church was my favorite with the angelic paintings and flawless inlaid marble. 

Caletta Sant’Elia: This is one of many sparkling blue coves on Sicily’s coast, where steep rocks offer clear blue water perfect for diving and hanging out. I would recommend exploring in a 30-minute radius from Palermo by train – from Isola delle Femmine, to Spiaggia Mondello, to Santa Flavia, there are’s so many beach escapes to choose from!

Welcome to The Interlude, otherwise known as Quiet Parts, the Column – art and poetry pairings for the busy patron. Each week I’ll be sharing what I’m reading, seeing, and the ways I’m staying invested in culture over the summer. 

Last Friday, I visited the Whitney Museum of American Art – now free for visitors 25 and under, and free for all every Friday from 5-10 P.M. I had the chance to see three shows: Amy Sherald’s American Sublime, Louise Nevelson’s collection highlights, and Christine Sun Kim’s All Day All Night. 

Here are some favorites from what I saw, just in time for the Fourth of July:

Milanese Nights: Six weeks in Milano, and yes it’s as dreamy as they say. 

Milan runs on aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks and appetizers) and nightlife. People fill the streets every night, but Tuesdays are my favorite. The Irish Pub, Blue Canals hosts karaoke every week, sporting cheaper drinks, fantastic music, young crowds, and lots of internationals. My advice: get inexpensive aperitivos at the canals and head there after. In my opinion, Tuesday’s never disappoint. 

Duomo 21 is another solid choice. It’s a rooftop club with a breathtaking view of Milan’s famous cathedral. Though the €20-30 cover is steep, it includes a drink and an amazing atmosphere. 

Fashion-wise, opt for classy. White walking shoes or boots work perfectly - heels not required!

Milan starts late – usually around 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., so you’ll be out till 2 or 3 a.m. The metro shuts at 12:30 a.m, so it’s not feasible for getting home. Here, Uber is unreliable; use AppTaxi for transportation, or work the bus system if you have time. 

Milan’s nightlife buzzes from every piazza and bar. You’ll spend money, but it won’t be wasted. For a delicious summer night, there is nothing like Milan. 

Can I ask you something that might sound a little dramatic? Is your freedom worth giving up just to be loved? And I’m not talking about the freedom to light fireworks on the Fourth of July or wave an American flag. I mean your voice, your individuality, the weird, beautiful, and honest parts of you that make you you. That’s exactly what the song “American Love Song” by Mono Boyd (with Infinity Song) evokes – and honestly, it should. It’s not just about America; it’s a metaphor for what happens when we shrink ourselves just to be accepted. That kind of loss does not just happen in romances, but in families, friendships – even in how we carry ourselves day to day. Yes, relationships should add to your life, but they shouldn’t erase you. We talk a lot about freedom and independence this time of year, but what do those really look like beyond the national anthem, Lana Del Rey, and red-white-and-blue aesthetics? From where I’m standing, a lot of us are tired. Tired of curating different versions of ourselves to fit in. Tired of pretending bare-minimum energy is enough. Tired of feeling like being soft, emotional, or sincere is embarrassing. Tired of hiding the weirdness, the rage, the joy, and hiding our core just to be palatable. So maybe this summer, freedom can mean showing up as your whole self and letting that be more than enough!

Quote of the Week By Kinnerith Din

“Life is not a series of gig lamps symmetrically arranged; life is a luminous halo, a semitransparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end.”

Virginia Woolf, “Modern Fiction”